Companion Shrubs for Roses

Pink roses are set off by a large evergreen topiary shrub.

Roses are the popular focal point of many private and public gardens. Flowering abundantly and grown around the world, roses take center stage in home gardens. Carefully selected and planted shrubs, whether flowering or evergreen, can enhance the beauty of a rose garden by providing a backdrop, border or point of interest between the roses' blooming flushes throughout the season. Select and site shrubs that will thrive in your home garden. Does this Spark an idea?

Before Selecting Shrubs

Holly, a brilliant evergreen shrub, is a fine backdrop for roses.

Knowing your climate zone and soil type is necessary for selecting shrubs. Some shrubs, such as lilacs, prefer a more alkaline soil and need winter chill to bloom. Many evergreen shrubs such as holly, and blooming shrubs like rhododendron, perform best in an acid soil. The pH level of the garden soil will determine what plants will thrive in the existing soil; however, many shrubs tolerate a wide range of conditions, and soils can be amended at planting time to some extent to accommodate a particular choice. Your local nursery will have a thorough knowledge of local conditions and will gladly provide guidance.

Considerations When Siting Shrubs in the Rose Garden

Small shrubs must be placed at least 3 feet from a rose bush. Large shrubs will need even more room. Competition for water, nutrients and sunlight is ongoing, and each plant must have space to receive enough of each to grow properly. Consider the size at maturity of the shrubs you select, and place them so that they will have the necessary room to thrive without competing with the rosebushes. Some shrubs, such as topiary, need special grooming and pruning. Site these so that they may be accessed easily at maturity. Mature shrubs should not interfere with walkways.

Foliage Shrubs

Groomed boxwood framing roses in a formal garden.

Evergreen shrubs including boxwood, holly, and dwarf conifers are especially attractive behind or bordering blooming roses. Boxwoods and conifers can be clipped into topiary to enhance a formal rose garden. Boxwood is traditionally used to border a formal rose bed. Evergreen shrubs are attractive year round, extending the seasonal interest of the rose bed. Deciduous shrubs can provide brilliant autumn foliage. Some berberis provide rich burgundy foliage all season, as well as fall color.

Flowering Shrubs

Flowering shrubs may provide color in early spring before the rose show begins. Choose from among the many varieties of viburnums for an early spring floral display. Forsythia heralds spring with bright yellow flowers before fading into the background. Lilacs and some spirea make a handsome green backdrop behind the rose bed when their spring flowers are gone. Hibiscus syriacus (rose of Sharon) is a colorful, late-summer bloomer with tropical looking flowers. Buddleia (butterfly bush) blooms beautifully in mid summer, and is available with pink or blue flowers. Include colorful fall foliage to wind up the season. Some deciduous shrubs, such as many in the viburnum family, give a brilliant display.

References

• US National Arboretum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
• Virginia Cooperative Extension; Boxwood in the Landscape; Diane Relf; May 2009
• NC State University; Shrubs; Erv Evans
• Virginia Cooperative Extension; Shrubs: Functions, Planting, and Maintenance; Alex X. Niemiera; May 2009
• MSU Extension Soil Web pages for Consumers: Acid-Loving Trees and Shrubs
• MSU Extension Soil Web pages for Consumers: Alkaline-Tolerant Plants

Resources

• Heirloom Roses: Rose Information
• Rose Gardening Made Easy: Flower Borders
• CSU/Denver County Extension Master Gardener: Shrubs
• University of Minnesota Extension; Pruning Trees and Shrubs; Mike Zins, et al.; 2002